Listeria monocytogenes

association with listeriosis

disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium has been isolated from humans and from more than 50 species of wild and domestic animals, including mammals, birds, fish, crustaceans, and ticks. It has also been isolated from environmental sources such as animal silage, soil, plants, sewage, and stream water.

Listeriosis, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is most often transmitted through milk, soft cheeses and ice cream, raw vegetables, and raw meat and poultry. Because L. monocytogenes can grow at low temperatures, certain foods that are refrigerated for long periods of time are particularly likely routes of transmission. Symptoms of listeriosis include flulike illness,...